Music in Islam
Published by Haseeb March 30th, 2005 in Islam, Entertainment, Personal, MusicRecently Yusuf Islam (Formerly known as Cat Stevens) released his first new original song in almost 20 years, Indian Ocean. He initially gave up his career of popular music because it wasnt the lifestyle he had in mind in his quest to become a devout Muslim. However, upon critical investigation and reflection, Yusuf Islam has finally returned to the music scence with a new song, and is working on many more. I do not want this to turn into a discussion or argument over the permissibility of music in Islam. I may have my own opinion, and you may have a conflicting one, and ultimately that is fine. In Islam sometimes we must learn to agree to disagree on certain matters.
I just wanted to share Yusuf Islam’s journey and what has prompted him to reclaim his role as the great music artist that he once was inshAllah. Also please respect his decision and beliefs (that of which I share) which allow music in Islam. Recently Yusuf Islam collaboarted with another rising artist in England to remake one of his earlier songs, Father and Son, and he was asked about the motivating factors behind his renewed interest in music:
“There are many examples where the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged singing and the expression of good poetry. He also taught us to share whatever knowledge we have and that messengers always spoke in the language of the people. I believe to collaborate with a person such as Ronan who is a very clean living example of a family orientated man, with good religious morals, is a positive action which can lead to more understanding especially in these dark times. Some people have changed their lives and become better people by listening to my music - that’s really saying something. Too much can be dangerous, but that applies to anything.”
Currently, Islam (the person) views Islam (the deen) and Music as being able to mutually coexist and permissible:
“
Music) is a natural expression of my concern as a Muslim and as an artist. I believe both can exist side by side, particularly when the cause is right.”
Music: A Question of Faith or Dawah?, an article written by Yusuf Islam himself, discusses music in detail and his views on why he believes not only that music is Islamically permissible, but how music can even be a praiseworthy act and a successful medium for dawah.
haseeb u r the man……im doing a paper on music on Islam….i can definitely use Yusuf Islams story….thanks man
As an addendum to this post I want to add that i do not (neither does yusuf islam i believe) think that all music is halal (permissible). And there is a valid ruling according to many that view many instruments (particularly string instruments) as impermissible.
And ultimately whatever I write is just my own opinion, and of course Allah
knows best.
is all the music YOU listen to halal, haseeb?
The fiqh of Listening to the recorded music
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00004456.aspx
“Ask those who know well if you know not.”
Salamu Alaikum
I was extremely surprised to see our dear Br. Haseeb saying that - in his opinion - *some* type of music was permissible. Firstly, in terms of Fiqh, opinions of non scholars are at most *irrelevant*. Ofcourse one has the right to follow whatever he wishes but this does not necessitate the correctness of that specific belief.
Yusuf Islam is Alhamdulilah a great man. His journey to Islam was an eye opener and an example to all. Yet, the fact remains that Yusuf Islam is not an authority when it comes to rulings. His opinion that some types of music is permissible for da’wa purposes as it has “changed their (peoples) lives” is like me stating the permissibilty of consuming alcohol in “moderation” due to its “health benefits”.
One must always remember that there is immense Hikma in the words of Allah
and His messenger - Allah 
bless him abundantly -. Regardless of what we may think, in the end everything will return to the Lawmaker, since man and his ‘Aql is not what dictates Laws. The Fuqaha, the jamhur are in agreement on the unlawfulness of music and this is based on the Qur’an and Hadith. As for those who bring the examples of the Sufis and others who did play music to stir the soul, then these were very isolated events which do not consistute any Daleel on the permissibilty of Music. Shaikh Nuh discusses this beautifully on SP.
Wallahu A’lam
Ma3salam
false analogy
salman, ma sha Allah
, akhi. clear and simple.
It is not a false analogy. You do not believe what you want from the Koran and leave the rest, it is not Islam if you have a 50% belief and it is not Islam if you change one word in the koran. Any music that contains musical instruments with awtar (strings) is forbidden, the only permissible music is not even called music but anaseed. Before denying or agreeing with any fatwa please make sure you know what you are saying for you will take thinoob and say’iat all of those who follow you if you are wrong.
anaseed=anasheed